In the 777 design Boeing approached the airlines with what they wanted. The airlines responded by sending pilots currently flying wide bodies and likely an older generation. So the yoke came to the 777. When it was time to design the 787, I'm thinking fleet commonality and ego, a failure to come to terms with the fact that the 777 shouldve had a side stick from day one.

So there you have it. EADS will have sticks and clean, roomy cockpits, Boeing will have yokes.